Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Redlands Community College

At just under $9,000 in debt, Redlands Community College's liberal arts associate's delivers something increasingly rare: genuine affordability with upside. While first-year earnings of $28,878 might seem modest, that's actually above both the Oklahoma median ($26,814) and the national benchmark ($27,248) for this degree—placing graduates around the 60th percentile statewide. The debt load, meanwhile, runs $3,000 below the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 that graduates can realistically manage.

The 15% earnings bump by year four suggests this degree functions as intended—as a stepping stone rather than a destination. Graduates earning $33,135 four years out are likely either transferring credits toward bachelor's degrees or moving into supervisory roles. That trajectory matters for families weighing whether an associate's is worth pursuing, particularly when the alternative might be no degree at all or significantly more debt at a four-year institution.

The practical calculation here is straightforward: modest debt, slightly above-average early earnings, and clear signs of career progression. For Oklahoma families, especially those eyeing eventual transfer to a four-year program, this represents a low-risk entry point into higher education that doesn't saddle students with burdensome loans while they're still figuring out their path.